Lesson 2

THE RIVER FLOWS THROUGH LIFE

Overview:

This lesson focuses on the many ways people have used the Lamprey River from the past to the present. Students need to understand how the river has been utilized throughout history so that they can help to ensure the health and vitality of the river in years to come. In this lesson students will be able to see and hear about the communities through which the Lamprey River flows. They will view a video and complete a viewing activity sheet to increase their knowledge and apprecia­tion of the Lamprey River.

Focus: How have people used and benefitted from the river from the past through the present?

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to

identify the communities through which the Lamprey flows;

explain how people and other living things use the river;

identify some species of wildlife found along the Lamprey.

Duration: 1 hour

Materials:

__copy of "RIVER STORY: The Lamprey River Through History" DVD or visit

Pre-viewing Activities:

1. Have students look at the individual maps they created as part of Lesson 1 (or give them maps showing the rivers of the state). Ask students to discuss what they discovered when they completed the maps or what they notice about the Lamprey River on the maps they have been given.

2. On a separate sheet of paper, have students generate questions they would like to have answered about the Lamprey River. Collect the papers to be used after viewing the video. Be sure to show the video without interruption at some time during the unit.

Focus for Viewing: Read through the questions on the viewing sheet with the students and ask them to pay close attention during the video in order to com­plete the activity.

Video Viewing Activity

PAUSE when the watercolor of the flying geese appears on the screen and the narrator completes his sentence. Have students record the three reasons the river was essential in early times. Resume play.

PAUSE when the black-and-white photo of the Native American appears on the screen. Ask students to complete the second question regarding how long ago Native Americans lived along the Lamprey River. Resume play.

PAUSE as the small painted turtle begins to move across the screen. Have stu­dents list five different animals they might find along the Lamprey River. Allow time for students to share answers to ensure that all of the animals shown are noted. Resume play.

PAUSE after the fawn gets up and begins to move across the screen. Have students answer the question concerning the community in which the Lamprey River begins. Note that the question is asking for the community and not the exact location. Resume play.

PAUSE when the black-and-white photo with the green box titled “Deerfield/ Recreation” appears. Have students predict two ways the river might be used for recreation. Resume play.

PAUSE when the black-and-white photo with the green box titled “Raymond and Candia/Early Mills” appears. Have students discuss whether or not their predic­tions were correct. Resume play.

PAUSE after the narrator says, "... many lines linked New Hampshire towns," and the railroad station appears in the background. Have students list two ways New Hampshire people used mills along the river. Resume play.

PAUSE after the block of ice is directed into the icehouse by the man sitting along the chute. Ask students to think about and write why ice cutting was important to people living along the river in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Resume play.

PAUSE after the narrator says, "... straddled the entire river and used a horizon­tal waterwheel." Have students note on their viewing papers where along the Lamprey this unique situation occurred. Resume play.

PAUSE after the narrator says, "... that employed 15 people" and water is shown flowing over the dam. Have students list three different items that were manufactured at the Wiswall Dam site. Allow time for students to share their ideas. Resume play.

PAUSE after the narrator says, "... river town of Newmarket." Have students complete the question asking where the Lamprey River ends its journey to the ocean. Resume play for the completion of the DVD.

After viewing of the DVD is complete, redistribute the pre-viewing question sheets that students generated earlier. Ask students if there are still any questions that were not answered from watching the video. In the event that there are, determine the relevance of future research by your students or provide the answers yourself. The listing of resources in the appendix might be useful.